Pletsch enjoying time at BG; Falcons drop in polls

He’s part of a team which is ranked 13th nationally, and has records of 19-10-5 overall and 15-8-3 in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The forward is faring well academically, too. He has a 3.1 grade-point average in supply chain management and will graduate in May. He’s already is interviewing for full-time jobs in the field.

Pletsch’s enjoyment comes even though he hasn’t played in a game this season and appeared in just four games last season.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder was a regular as a freshman when BG won two playoff series to advance to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association semifinals.

The Falcons have clinched third place in the WCHA this season and will host a best of 3 quarterfinal playoff series March 13-14-15.

“I still enjoy coming to the rink and hanging out with the guys every day,” Pletsch said. “Just being around the guys all of the time keeps me positive, and the success of the team has been awesome.”

Pletsch had five goals and two assists as a freshman, and killed penalties. But as the Falcons have steadily improved, and the team’s talent and depth have increased, his playing time has decreased. He played in just 16 games as a sophomore.

“I knew what my situation was going to be,” Pletsch said. “Playing here has been a great experience. I never had any thoughts about leaving school or leaving the team even when I wasn’t playing.

“It was hard at first, but it’s gotten a little easier every year as you understand your situation and what’s going on with the team. Watching the transition and the success we’ve had has been great.”

Pletsch’s situation became even tougher in November when his foot was stepped on in practice and he hasn’t been on the ice since. He had surgery to repair the cut.

“He’s a big-time teammate,” BG coach Chris Bergeron said. “He’s a big-time kid. He does well in school. You wish he played more because you know how bad he wants to play.

“He hasn’t changed who he is as a person for one second, based on the number of games he’s played.”

Pletsch, who is from Canton, Mich., came to BG after three seasons with the Pembroke (Ontario) Lumber Kings in the Central Canadian (Junior) Hockey League. He had 42 goals, 38 assists and 88 penalty minutes in 153 games.

“The way he’s handled his situation, we’re extremely proud of him,” Bergeron said. “Hopefully, we say it to him enough because he deserves to hear it. Being proud of someone within your program isn’t based on scoring goals or playing games.

“It’s based on the way you conduct yourself on a daily basis,” Bergeron added. “This kid really conducts himself at a high level every day.”

Pletsch is living with teammates Adam Berkle and Dan DeSalvo; his brother, Jesse; and former teammate Ryan Viselli, who was in a situation similar to Pletsch’s last season.

“He’s a really hard worker,” said Falcon senior defenseman Connor Kucera, one of Pletsch’s close friends. “He’s always one of the guys who is in the best shape on the team. He kills every test we have off the ice.

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About Kevin Gordon

Kevin joined BGSUHockey.com after wrapping up a 27-year run as the Falcon hockey beat writer for the Sentinel-Tribune. After providing another two years of the Falcon hockey coverage fans had grown to love over the past three decades, Kevin decided to hang up his notebook and is now enjoying the retired life. Please join us by sending Kevin a tweet and thank him for all the time he's dedicated to BGSU hockey: @KGordonBG.

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